Gulf of Aden Security Review - July 21, 2015

Yemen: ISIS Wilayat Sana’a claims responsibility for VBIED attack in Sana’a; Hadi government announces the rebuilding of Aden; popular resistance forces advance in Taiz

Horn of Africa: Marka residents protest following shooting deaths of civilians by AMISOM; fighting continues between al Shabaab and Ethiopian troops in southern Somalia

Yemen Security Brief

• ISIS Wilayat Sana’a claimed responsibility for a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) attack targeting the al Houthis at the al Moayd mosque in the al Jiraf neighborhood of Sana’a on July 20. The mosque is located adjacent to the home of al Houthi leader Ihab Kahlani. The number of casualties still remains unknown.[1]    

• The government of President Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi has announced that they will begin the process of rebuilding the city of Aden with the assistance of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. A Saudi Arabian cargo plane carrying humanitarian aid landed at Aden International Airport on July 21, the first to land since the al Houthis took Aden in March.[2]

• Popular Resistance forces have been making minor territorial gains within the city of Taiz as they continue to fight against the al Houthis for control of the city. Members of the Popular Resistance movement have reported taking control of the headquarters of the General People’s Congress, al Ashraf, al Barayd, and al Jamhawray areas of Taiz. Additionally, Popular Resistance fighters are advancing upon the al Dubab area of the city as well as the camp of the 35th Armored Brigade.[3] 

Horn of Africa Security Brief

• Residents led a demonstration in Marka, Lower Shabelle region, on July 21, claiming Burundi African Union Mission in Africa (AMISOM) troops shot and killed at least 13 civilians, most of whom were school teachers. AMISOM and the Somali government have yet to comment on the incident.[4]

• Fighting between al Shabaab militants and Ethiopian troops in the Bay and Gedo regions continued into its fifth day on July 21. Clashes resulting in an unknown number of causalities were reported in El Ilan, Gedo region, which lies 35 kilometers from al Shabaab’s stronghold Bardhere. Al Shabaab has reportedly shut down its Andalus radio station in response to the fighting.[5]